First Sunday of Lent - March 6, 2022

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Deuteronomy 26:4-10             Romans 10:8-13          Luke 4:1-13

Roy G Biv bounces around in my head, as I watch the prism display dancing gracefully on the wall and ceiling. The colors that twist in the light refracting such delight this afternoon put a smile on my face. Lost in thought, I wondered why people bend so easily to the shapes of life’s light, while others block the light from dancing on the walls of our hearts.

Lent contours, stretches and expands our spiritual growth when we allow it. Today’s Gospel of Luke reveals a Jesus in retreat for solace and prayer, but not in a comforting soothing oasis, but in a dry dirty desolate desert. We see Jesus in raw form, experiencing the reality of human heartache, enticements, and power we understand. Jesus understood and recognized his need for prayer, silence and comfort whatever demons the Son of Man encountered in the desert. I wonder how often he needed that retreat and didn’t take it. Giving more of himself than any man. We too need to retreat and pray to face the challenges life pours out before us.

I enjoy the opening prayer before the readings beautifully summarizes the meaning of lent, “Father, through our observance of Lent, help us to understand the meaning of your Son’s death and resurrection and teach us to reflect it in our lives.” The real meaning of lent can succumb to the hustle and bustle of life and obligations, yet we can be challenged to make this lent refract God’s love through us.

Q: In what ways do I retreat and pray? This Lent how can I be kind to myself as I listen to my soul speak?


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